Chapter 117

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Although she had already guessed two parts of it from hearing the earlier buildup, upon learning it was this kind of task, she still felt some surprise.

She thought seriously for a moment, then said: "Can try."

She asked again: "Just don't know where it is, how many people you'll give me, what the kitchen utensils and cooking implements are like, and what the diners' situation is?"

Han Li said: "In Yingzhou, by fast horse it's also four or five days' journey. However many people you need, I can assign them all — only they may not be cooking hands. Kitchen utensils, cooking implements, perhaps there's nothing at all, all for you to procure."

He added: "The diners will mostly be local farmers, and also some refugees."

Song Miao then asked: "Don't know if grain, meat and vegetables and all supplies are provided?"

"Have to wait for allocation; the allocation may not be timely. I'll have to find another way. And there are always oversights. You must have a clear picture in mind, and remember to come ask me for things at any time."

Speaking to here, he specially added: "I know if you go out, the business here in the capital may not be looked after. Besides the duty pay, I'll prepare another sum of compensation for lost work. The specific amount, we'll slowly calculate together, how about that?"

Song Miao naturally wouldn't worry about treatment.

The former Cheng Zijian, the later Kong Fuyang, further on, the Capital Prefecture Office's Censors and Chai Guan, up to now, especially today, looking at those many Patrol Soldiers and Patrol Officers doing things for Han Li, when was there ever half a bit of shortchanging?

She shook her head and said: "This year the rain isn't good. Recently the capital again has floodwater spreading. Don't know when it'll settle. Moreover afterward still have to clean streets. And grain, meat and vegetables have all risen in price. I originally also planned to close for ten days or half a month. If I take Young Master's duty and go out, it actually doesn't delay much. There's no question of lost work or not. Instead it's a gain. Only I after all don't know the local situation, dare not say how much confidence I have."

"I'm willing to try, but if there's a more suitable candidate, it's still best to choose someone else..."

Han Li originally spoke lightly and slowly. Hearing this, his expression became even gentler. He said seriously: "Using effort is not as good as using the right person. Food and drink matters are extremely important. I'm also newly arrived, and a student. I dare not lightly trust others. If Stall Owner Song is willing to help, that is the most suitable candidate. There is no one more suitable — if you have concerns, you can raise them all."

He added: "This trip there and back, rushing about hardship. Although there's some silver to subsidize, it's actually fundamentally exhausting heart and strength. Stall Owner Song staying at home is naturally easy and comfortable. But once you take this duty, when you reach the place, the people are mixed and won't obey management, not to mention the matters are extremely heavy..."

Han Li persuaded like this, laying out many bad points openly, and even showing weakness. Instead it made Song Miao gradually make up her mind.

She was just about to open her mouth, but heard that Han Li opposite say: "If it's not good to go, just tell me. If it's good to go, also don't be anxious. You think carefully first, then decide. Don't because of our past friendship, produce the slightest reluctance — this trip is truly very bitter."

Song Miao smiled gently and said: "Earning money, where is there any that isn't bitter?"

She added: "Who would repeatedly use words to block, not letting me go earn this rare windfall?"

Finished speaking, she stretched her hand before Han Li, spread five fingers, palm up, made a gesture asking for money, and said: "I agree. Just waiting for Young Master to be sure — don't you first give three or five coins as earnest money?"

She wore a plain face, no powder or rouge. When she smiled, her brows and eyes were very bright, just like after rain clears, clouds part and rain scatters, bamboo leaf tips in the mountains holding dew, clean, natural, fresh, making one unable to help wanting to breathe long and deep, letting that air carrying bamboo fragrance slowly fill the lungs.

Han Li carried a money bag on his person, placed on a chair to the side. Inside were fully a thousand coins, strung on cords, obtained just this afternoon.

He didn't go get it. Instead from his sleeve he took out a single copper coin, solemnly placed it in Song Miao's hand, and said: "Since it's like this, this matter is entirely entrusted to Stall Owner Song."

Song Miao agreed in one mouthful.

Han Li then brought that bag over, opened it, placed it before Song Miao, and said: "This money first goes on the account. Another day when there's leisure, I'll again ask Stall Owner Song to help set a banquet, invite today's crowd to eat another meal."

The two spoke half a day. Seeing sky darken, outside the rain still hadn't stopped.

Because Han Li's rain gear had already been given to others, and he had no extra, Song Miao lent him a bamboo hat and raincoat, and also gave him a lantern pole for lighting.

After Han Li left, Song Miao returned to the back courtyard, and explained today's matters and subsequent arrangements to Cheng Erniang.

Learning Song Miao was going to Yingzhou, though temporarily not knowing the specific location, while she herself was left in the capital, Cheng Erniang immediately said: "Madam has never traveled far. Doesn't know at home a thousand days good, out the door ten thousand matters difficult. Better to ask that Young Master Han, can he bring me along too?"

She added: "I brought Xiao Lian all the way to the capital. Experienced many things. More or less can look after!"

Song Miao shook her head and said: "I see recent weather. Can't say the capital won't have a major flood. The back courtyard's miscellaneous room and back kitchen are likely to leak. The back gate's surrounding wall has collapsed two bricks. The wooden door isn't very secure either. If at that time the house leaks and floods, there must be someone to manage."

She added: "Moreover if both you and I go, are we leaving Xiao Lian alone at home?"

Cheng Erniang instantly lost her fire. Her hands practically twisted into a hemp rope. Half a day later, she could only say embarrassedly: "Actually this child doesn't need managing. Leaving her to watch the house is enough..."

She sighed: "Where is there an employer going out to earn money to support the family, while this helper instead stays home idly eating ready-made?"

Song Miao knew this Cheng Erniang always feared her employer would suffer loss. She didn't nag with her. She said: "Er Niangzi isn't idling at home either. I have other matters to entrust to you."

"Previously said, wait to save some silver, then this food shop will reopen. Only will first do familiar customer business, take some small banquets. Get reputation, then take outside guests."

"Er Niangzi has been here a while. Knows this house long unrepaired. Missing bricks, leaking tiles. Also the front hall furnishings are all gone. Can't avoid troubling you these days to seek a few craftsmen in the capital, ask prices. If there's suitable, call people to repair first. For what you're unsure of, wait for me to return and discuss then do."

"Repairing houses is most exhausting. If you can accomplish this matter, it's solving my heart's major worry. There's nothing more important."

Cheng Erniang at home was also Eldest Sister holding the door, and a widow running a business. All large and small miscellaneous affairs she had managed. Naturally knew these two courtyards' framework was intact. Just some minor issues. At most ten days or half a month to tidy up properly. Even more knew Song Miao was giving some work out to settle her heart.

A moment she secretly thought: Just watch me spend little of Young Lady's silver, tidy this house cleanly and neatly, efficiently. Best to make her return and get a surprise. Then she'll know my Cheng Yueying's wages aren't taken in vain. Worthy of her such trust and kindness!

Having this thought, she immediately became full of vigor. Also no longer said anything about wanting to follow. If not for sky too dark, lighting lamps costing oil, she'd have to that very night check the whole house top to bottom carefully.

Cheng Erniang at this moment only hated she wasn't a mouse. Otherwise if she could climb roof beams, drill into ground holes, where would she not know what problems this house ultimately has!

The other side, that Han Li returned to Taixue. Not anxious to go to Qinshe. Instead went straight to the Teaching Hall.

At this time sky already late. But Chen Fuzi's room still had lamp lit.

He knocked and entered. Indeed saw that one old face sitting behind the table. On one side plucking beard, on one side frowning, unknown what writing.

Chen Fuzi heard sound. Raised head saw Han Li enter. Frowned even tighter. Said: "Such big rain. You still come over to do what?"

Han Li said: "So late. Senior Brother not returning home. One person staying here doing what?"

Chen Fuzi didn't care. Said: "Home has no one waiting for me. Just a place to sleep. Early return, late return. What relation does it have?"

Speaking, he took out a letter. Also a wooden box. Said: "Since you came, look first — Old Min arrived today at noon. Heard you went to the government office last night. Wanted to chase after. I knew you busy. Kept him. He passed Shen hour before leaving."

Han Li took things over. First read the letter.

First letter was from Old Min to him. Only said the silver money requested that day had been gathered some out. Asking he can now start organizing people as soon as possible.

Second letter was from that Dezhang sent. Only said river dike situation not good. River water coming fiercely. Fear not many days before collapse and such.

He hastily read through once. Put letters aside. Only then went to look at that wooden box.

Inside was a stack of money tickets.

"Old Min this person, always does things not like others. Especially stingy. Unwilling to suffer a bit of loss. This time actually took out his box-bottom savings. I fear matters aren't that simple — you don't look at him feeling pitiful. One mishap, white run a trip is small. Suffer hardship, still lose reputation."

Han Li said: "I hired people daily to help survey hydrology. Day before yesterday received letter. Pressing this situation. Fear not as simple as a dike breach."

Chen Fuzi was stunned, his face instantly turning very ugly, and said, "You mean……"

Han Lidao said, "I'm afraid the Huang He is about to change course again."

Chen Fuzi's face turned white; after a long while, he finally sighed and said, "Forget it, it's not something human power can control, but if it truly changes course, who knows how many families along the way will suffer again."

He added, "The weather this year is truly terrible; the Capital hasn't seen flooding like this in many years……"

He chattered on for a few sentences, then gathered many things from the desk, rolled them into a scroll, and handed them to Han Li, saying, "In my younger days when I could still travel, I also had students organize hydrological data from the middle and lower reaches. I've sorted through them these past few days and finally managed to produce something usable. Take it first—whether it's useful or not, my junior brother's abilities are small; he can't compare to the master. That's all I have!"

Han Li flipped through it briefly and found it was hydrological surveying and mapping of several fixed points in the middle and lower reaches over ten years, covering the main channel, tributaries, course changes, and so on—very detailed. Most valuable was that it wasn't simply organized; careful statistics and comparisons had been made, exactly what he could use.

He went to get paper and carefully wrapped it in one layer, then wrapped another layer with oil paper.

Seeing Han Li cherish it so much, Chen Fuzi's mouth corners twitched up again and again, barely able to suppress it.

After the person finished wrapping the things, he then asked, "You really are going, aren't you?"

Han Li nodded.

Chen Fuzi's expression was somewhat complex, like he was relieved, yet also somewhat annoyed. After a silence of a few breaths, he said, "Going is also good. Dezhang's character is indeed loyal and honest; it's just a pity his ability is too ordinary."

He added, "Do you still remember Xu Xinlin? He was originally a student brought by Xiao You, and now he's serving as a retainer under Dezhang."

"I recently sent someone to inquire about his situation, and he's actually organizing hydrological data in the prefectural and county gazetteers—such things, hiring two clerks to do them wouldn't be faster than doing it himself? Upon further inquiry, he said he'd been waiting half a month, and the subordinates ignored him. A few constables and clerks said one moment they had to go urge spring planting, the next they had to urge corvée labor, then they said they had to go ask about the embankments and dams."

"Dezhang is at least a Tongpan, a trusted aide brought by his superior, yet he can't even move a few clerks. Judging the whole from a part, you just think about it and you'll know what the office is like inside and out—afraid that when you need people later, there will still be some to deal with."

Hearing this, Han Li merely gave a cold smile and said, "Deal with them? Where do I have the time to deal with these! I've never been as easy to talk to as Cen Dezhang. Usually it's fine, but at times like this, whoever doesn't do things should never do them again—give up that position, plenty of people are willing and able to do it."

Chen Fuzi originally wanted to advise a few words, but thinking of this junior brother's usual conduct, he honestly closed his mouth. After a moment of silence, he finally reminded him with a sentence, saying, "You also shouldn't make yourself too conspicuous. I heard today that the Court intends to have the Du Shui Jian clear the Wuzhang and Jinshui Rivers. Previously unmentioned, this time it's likely hosted by that Cao Xianggong."

"There are already rumors outside that he wants to recommend you. If he forces the issue, it's not good for you to go—whatever you produce will only benefit him, and outsiders will praise him with 'a prime minister's belly can hold a boat.' It's also not good for you not to go—some who don't understand will only say your private fear of trouble outweighs your public spirit……"

Chen Fuzi wanted to say more, but Han Li helplessly said, "It's not early anymore, Senior Brother, don't nag anymore. He's just an Xianggong; if he's truly so shallow-minded as to come provoke me, I, a barefoot student, wasn't afraid before—would I be afraid now?"

He then lifted his umbrella, took the lantern he came with, and urged Chen Fuzi home.

The latter had no choice but to pack his things and honestly leave.

Chen Fuzi lived very close by. At this time the rain was heavy, with the sound of rain all over the sky. Seeing his home was right before his eyes, he said, "Don't see me off. Give me that bamboo hat; you take the umbrella back."

As he spoke, he reached out to take the bamboo hat from Han Li's head.

Han Li tilted his head and only urged, "Just a few steps, go on your way."

In Suanzao Alley, two adults and one child went to sleep early that night.

Early the next day, Song Miao woke up and saw the rain outside had slightly stopped, but the sky was still covered with dark clouds, showing the rain hadn't fallen enough.

She had just finished washing up when she heard someone knocking at the door. She answered the door and saw it was Zhu Shi.

"Have you been free these past two days?" Zhu Shi asked. "That guest I mentioned last time, because the rain in the Capital hasn't stopped, and also because he got some news, said there's business waiting and he's in a hurry to leave. He's setting off at the initial Mao hour tomorrow morning—can you manage to make the early meal in time?"